Dear Mom & Dad,
Greetings once again from Vietnam. Well, this letter finds me once again in
another location. This time we are West of Saigon only 4 miles from Cambodia. Look
on your map for Duc Hoa. We are West of that. The reason I haven't written for
a couple of days is because at our last locations we ran into some trouble. We were
smack dab in the middle of a rice paddy. The day before we moved out, we got quite a
lot of rain that night and the rice paddy was flooded. Well, it took us all day to
get out. We were pulled out by an ACAV
(Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle) and then a BTR when the ACAV got stuck too. It was
quite a mess and to top that off we lost our mess
trailer and most of my personal belongings.
I have never been so miserable in all of my life. I was covered from head to toe
with mud. You wouldn't have believed it. In rice paddies, the farmers dig deep
holes for irrigation and when the paddy fills up with water you can't tell where the holes
are. Guys were falling in them left and right. It was really funny. You
would see a guy trudging through the mud and all of a sudden you wouldn't see him anymore.
That place as a bitch.
Where we are not isn't too bad. It's nice and dry. When we finally did get
out of that rice paddy we drove all night to get here and then we had to set up and cook
breakfast so I am quite tired but I got a pretty good night's sleep last night. I
don't know when we will be going back to Blackhorse. As long as the rain isn't too
bad we will continue to stay out. If the enemy keeps stepping up his attacks, we
probably won't go in.
These peace talks in Paris are a bunch of "hogwash". Since these talks
started, Charlie has been propping up more frequently. Talk is that three Division
of North Vietnamese Regulars (NVA) have come down the Ho Chi Minh trail since these talks
have started. This bombing halt is really hurting us. If I had my way, I would
invade Hanoi. I would start at the DMZ and not stop until I reach Hanoi.
Well, by now you should have my $200 allotment check. I drew $46 here. That
will be plenty to get me through the month. I have nothing to spend any money on out
here in the field. I wrote you in my last letter to send another camera. I
would appreciate it if you would send it as soon as possible. Also, send some
"C" batteries for my tape recorder.
I receive a 14 page letter from aunt Lucy the other day and she wrapped it around a
"Kold Pac". I haven't tried it yet but it looks pretty good. All you
do is add water and close the bag and it gets cold. She said that she would send
another package for my birthday. Please send her address as I would like to write
and thank her. I threw away the envelope and neglected to copy her address.
In 14 pages of her letter she lectured me on why I should go to collage on the GI bill
after I get out. How she is so proud of Barbara that she is the only Hersey to go on
to higher education and get a BA degree. She's quite a character. She said
Dick should go to school too. If Dick stays in Nashua working for Sanders for 20
years he can retire and live pretty comfortably. Of course, he isn't making too much
now but after he is there for a while he will. I don't have Dick's address in Derry
so please send it along so I can write to him.
Well, I will sign off now because I must get to work. Things are going well here.
My tan is getting better every day. You won't recognize me when I get home.
Well, take care of yourselves and stay in good health. I will write again
soon.
By for now!
Love,
Bob
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